Lollipop : Cute Enough to Lick

THEY are cute, sweet and yummy on the eyes. So it was only fitting that these six Taiwanese chaps called themselves Lollipop - yes, that candy on a stick - and that teenage girls would make a beeline for them.

In town last week to promote its debut album Gyashan, the group attracted more than 1,000 fans to a showcase at Lunar Bar last Thursday. The guys outshone older bands F4 and 5566 to debut at No 1 on Taiwan's G-Music chart in February, proving that youth rules.

Band leader Owodog is the oldest at 24, and Prince, the group's 'PR guy', is the youngest at 19. Main singer Fabien, 'sunshine boy' William and 'happy-go-lucky' dancer A-wei are all 22, and main composer Lil Jay is 21.

In person, these guys were not as rowdy or goofy as on their variety show on Channel (V) Taiwan (StarHub Ch 102), which is also named Lollipop. They were discovered during the show's talent search segment in 2006, and then picked to form this band. If they were tired from an early flight to Singapore, they didn't show it. They seemed chirpy enough and took turns to speak to The New Paper, careful not to hog the mike or overshadow anyone.

CHARMING

In short, they were earnest, honest and absolutely charming. Asked for their secret to beating F4 and 5566 in album sales, the Lollipop guys said it is because they have bonded strongly with fans through their TV show, and they are more like friends than idols to them.

A-wei said: 'We grew up together, nurtured our relationship, and our hearts are joined.' William added: 'We also gave the kids a dream to pursue, that if they really want to be in showbiz, they can join our programme.'

Indeed, the Lollipop chaps have come far.

Besides hosting, they have also starred in their own idol drama, Brown Sugar Macchiato, and held a successful first concert at the Taipei Arena in January.

What's their biggest achievement so far?

For Fabien and William, it is mastering a new skill for their concert. Fabien said he learned how to play the saxophone from scratch and he had to practise under his blanket or go to the river near his apartment - so as not to disturb others with the noise. It was worth it after all, when he blew fans away with his solo performance. William became a diabolo juggling expert and showed off many difficult stunts on stage.

A-wei said the Taipei concert itself was a significant milestone, as they managed to pull it off despite having only one month to prepare. Lil Jay said it is a dream-come-true for him to do promotions overseas, while Prince said that shooting a drama together brought back fond memories of school. As for leader Owodog, he praised the other chaps for performing so well during a competitive segment of their TV show that they emerged the final champion.

'We were so ecstatic watching the telecast, we didn't even think of going out to celebrate,' he added.

LIVING TOGETHER

But being the biggest boy band in Taiwan has its own set of problems. The six guys have to wake up early to take turns to do their hair and make-up, and they have had petty squabbles while sharing the same apartment in Taipei. Fabien complained about some of the others not flushing the toilet, while Owodog recalled how Fabien 'stole' his socks by mistake and made him search frantically around the house.

And the biggest disadvantage?

'We always have to split the money by six!' Fabien joked.

On the flip side, he said it is good to have so many members share the burden, and that they can cover for one another in case of slip-ups. Agreeing, Lil Jay said: 'We've managed to come so far because six of us are in it together. If it's just one person starting out on his own, he couldn't have made it.'

Thanks to their TV show, aired daily on weekdays, the Lollipop guys have also managed to overcome their greatest fears during challenge segments.

'Snake-phobic' Lil Jay recalled bursting into tears when he was forced to drape a python around his neck. 'That really scared me and I wanted to quit the group there and then.'

Prince and Owodog had to face up to their fear of heights. But they couldn't muster the courage to do the bungee jump. Prince revealed: 'Both of us hid at home and didn't go for filming, on the pretext of exhaustion.'

William said: 'I'm scared of chicken. I do eat it, but I won't want to see its head and claws. I can't shake this feeling that it would claw me.' Fabien and A-wei claim to have no fears except one. Fabien can't stand the sound of metal scratching against metal, while A-wei is scared of ghosts.

Despite all the outrageous things that they have done on TV in the name of entertainment, the guys swear by two big no-nos.

NO STRIPPING

First, no stripping. It's a rule set by their managers. Second, no stockings over their cute faces, like bank robbers.

'That's just too ugly,' screamed Owodog, who found out the hard way after he was punished like this when he first joined the show.

Channel (V) Taiwan's programme and production director Andy Chang said the guys are given all kinds of wild tasks to complete, but they never go overboard. 'This is a happy show, it's entertainment for the young. The guys are all very real and natural, that's why they've attracted so many supporters.'

Lollipop's manager Dora Ao added that the guys are down to earth. 'They don't come from rich families, and they're contented with what they have now. Is there rivalry among them? Yes, but they're also united as a team.'